Bridge apparatus and system for vehicle transport

ABSTRACT

A vehicle transport truck or trailer with a platform having at least a first section and a second section is configured such that the first section is operable to move to at least a raised position and a lowered position. A ramp is provided that connects the first section and the second section of the platform, the ramp being operable to move in conjunction with the first section. A linkage mechanism is also provided and is configured to move in conjunction with the first section of the platform. Moving the first section of the platform causes the linkage mechanism to correspondingly move the ramp such that when the first section is in the raised position the ramp is substantially aligned with the first section and when the first section is in the lowered position the ramp is not aligned with the first section.

DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART

The present invention relates generally to transporting vehicles, andmore particularly to an improved bridge apparatus and system forallowing cars to enter, exit, and transition through vehicle transporttrailers and/or other vehicle transport systems. As is understood inart, vehicles such as automobiles, sport utility vehicles (“SUV”), etc.can be transported via transport trailers (“trailer”) that arespecifically designed to transport vehicles. Multiple vehicles can betransported on such a trailer. It is also known to implement multiplelevels or tiers on such trailers to maximize the number of vehiclestransported. For example, many trailers implement upper platforms andlower platforms such that two levels of vehicles may be transported atthe same time. Each vehicle is secured to the trailer in some fashion,such that each vehicle will be restrained to one of the upper level orplatforms, or the lower level or platforms, such as by straps or chains.

Generally, vehicles on the lower platforms of the trailer are loadedafter the vehicles on the upper platforms have been loaded and securedand after the upper platforms have been placed in a raised position. Inorder to load vehicles onto the “front” part of the lower platforms ofthe trailer (i.e. the part or portion of the lower platform closest tothe truck to which the trailer is attached), an adjustable bridgemechanism may be used. The bridge mechanism allows for vehicles to bedriven past the wheels of the trailer onto the rear part of the frontlower platform when the upper platforms are in a raised position. Insome previous trailers, the bridge mechanism is a fixed bridge extendingfrom the rear wheels towards the front of the trailer.

To make the process of positioning vehicles on trailers more efficient,movable bridge mechanisms known in the art may be raised to allow forvehicles to transition from one part of the lower platform, over therear wheels of the trailer, and onto another part of the lower platform.Such movable bridge mechanisms may be lowered out of the way to allowvehicles to be secured in a manner that optimizes the space availableand prevents the underside of the vehicle, when the vehicle is in itsfinal transport position, from contacting the bridge mechanism. However,these prior art bridge mechanisms require manually lifting eachmechanism separately upwards and securing it into place, such as withretracting legs which must also be secured manually into place for eachbridge mechanism. These prior art bridge mechanisms can be timeconsuming to operate, requiring for instance raising and securing (orlowering and securing) the bridge mechanism for one side of the lowerplatform, walking around the trailer, and then raising and securing (orlowering and securing) the bridge mechanism for the other side of thelower platform. Accordingly, what is needed is an improved lift systemthat overcomes the shortcomings of the previous implementations.

SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Improved bridge apparatuses and systems for vehicle transportation aredisclosed. In an embodiment, a system for use with a vehicle transporttrailer or truck includes at least one platform configured to receivevehicles. The platform includes at least a first section extendingtowards a wheel supporting the platform and a second section locatedabove the wheel. The first section of the platform is configured to moveto at least a raised position and a lowered position. The systemincludes a ramp with a first end rotatably coupled adjacent to thesecond section of the platform. The ramp is configured to move to atleast a raised position and a lowered position, such that the rampallows a vehicle to transition between the first section of the platformand the second section of the platform when the ramp is in the raisedposition.

The system further includes a linkage mechanism with a first endrotatably coupled adjacent to the first end of the ramp, and a secondend coupled adjacent to the first section of the platform. The linkagemechanism is configured to move in conjunction with the first section ofthe platform such that moving the first section of the platform to theraised position causes the linkage mechanism to move the ramp to theraised position, placing the ramp substantially aligned with the firstsection of the platform; and moving the first section of the platform tothe lowered position causes the linkage mechanism to move the ramp tothe lowered position not aligned with the first section of the platform.

Other systems, apparatuses, and/or methods of using the same will be orbecome apparent to one with skill in the art upon review of thefollowing drawings and detailed description. It is intended that allsuch additional systems, apparatuses, and/or methods of using the samebe included within this description, be within the scope of theexemplary embodiments, and be protected by the accompanying claims.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

In the drawings, like reference numerals refer to like parts throughoutthe various views unless otherwise indicated. For reference numeralswith letter character designations such as “102A” or “102B”, the lettercharacter designations may differentiate two like parts or elementspresent in the same figure. Letter character designations for referencenumerals may be omitted when it is intended that a reference numeralencompass all parts having the same reference numeral in all figures.

FIG. 1 illustrates a perspective view of a vehicle trailer with whichthe disclosed improved bridge apparatus and system may be implemented;

FIG. 2 illustrates a perspective view of a portion of the vehicletrailer of FIG. 1 with an embodiment of an improved bridge system;

FIG. 3A illustrates a perspective view of aspects of an embodiment ofthe improved bridge system, with the bridge system in a loweredposition;

FIG. 3B illustrates a side view of aspects of the improved bridge systemof FIG. 3A;

FIG. 4A illustrates a perspective view of aspects of the embodiment ofthe improved bridge system of FIG. 3A, with the bridge system in araised position;

FIG. 4B illustrates a side view of aspects of the improved bridge systemof FIG. 4A;

FIG. 5A illustrates a side view of aspects of the improved bridge systemimplemented on a trailer, with the bridge system in a raised position;and

FIG. 5B illustrates a side view of aspects of the improved bridge systemimplemented on a trailer, with the bridge system in a lowered position.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

The word “exemplary” is used herein to mean “serving as an example,instance, or illustration.” Any aspect described herein as “exemplary”is not necessarily to be construed as preferred or advantageous overother aspects.

Exemplary embodiments include an improved lift apparatus and system thatmay be used to transport vehicles such as automobiles, sport utilityvehicles (“SUV”), etc. Although discussed below with respect to vehicletransport trailers (“trailer”) designed to be attached to/decoupled froma truck, the embodiments and inventions disclosed herein are equallyapplicable to other vehicle transport systems such as for example, atruck with permanently attached vehicle transporting systems, towtrucks, etc. An exemplary vehicle transport trailer 100 with whichembodiments of the improved bridge apparatus and system for trailers maybe used is illustrated in FIG. 1 .

FIG. 1 shows a multi-level vehicle transport trailer 100 in a collapsedconfiguration. The trailer 100 includes an upper platform 110 comprisingtwo parallel tracks that allow for securing and transporting vehicles.The illustrated upper platform 110 includes multiple portions orsections 112 a-112 d. Each section 112 a-112 d comprises an outer frameformed by parallel side rails 114 a-114 d and end rails 116 a-116 dconnecting the side rails 114 a-114 d. Inner walls 118 a-118 d areprovided parallel to the side rails 114 a-114 d of each upper section112 a-112 d, with decking 120 between the side rails 114 a-114 d andinner walls 118 a-118 d. The side rails, 114 a-114 d, inner walls 118a-118 d, and decking 120 a-120 d are sized and spaced so that vehiclesmay be driven onto, and secured to, the upper platform 110 with the carsleft and right tires on the decking 120 a-120 d. The decking 120 a-120 dtypically includes a plurality of holes and/or grating, and the decking120 a-120 d may include roughened portions on the upper surface to allowvehicle tires to better grip the decking 120 a-120 d when the vehiclesare secured to the upper platform 110.

The trailer 100 also includes a lower platform 130 similar to the upperplatform 110 described above, the lower platform 130 may comprisemultiple sections or portions as described above. When the trailer 100is in a first, collapsed position as illustrated in FIG. 1 , the upperplatform 110 covers or hides the lower platform 130, such as to allowvehicles to be loaded onto or off of the upper platform 110 or to securethe trailer 100 when being transported without any vehicles. When thetrailer 100 is in a second, extended position (not illustrated), theupper platform 110 is separated from the lower platform, such as toallow vehicles to be loaded onto or off of the lower platform 130 and/orto transport the trailer 100 when loaded with vehicles. As will beunderstood, various additional support or bracing members and ahydraulic, pneumatic, or other system may be included in the trailer 100to allow the upper platform 110 to be extended away from and/orcollapsed towards the lower platform 130, as well as to support theupper platform 110 when in an extended position and loaded withvehicles.

FIG. 2 shows a perspective view of an embodiment of an improved bridgesystem and mechanism that may be implemented on a vehicle transporttrailer. In FIG. 2 , only a portion 230 of a transport trailer 200 isillustrated for clarity. It will be understood that trailer 200illustrated in FIG. 2 may be similar to trailer 100 illustrated in FIG.1 . The illustrated portion 230 of the lower platform includes sections232 a and 232 b that are in “front” of the rear wheels 206 of trailer200, where the “front” end of the trailer 200 (labeled as “Front” inFIG. 2 ) may be attached to a tractor or truck (not shown) that tows thetrailer 200. The illustrated portion 230 of the lower platform alsoincludes a section 232 c that approximately covers left wheels 206 andextends towards a “back” end of the trailer 200 (labeled as “Back” inFIG. 2 ). As will be understood, the improved bridge system andmechanism may be implemented on vehicle transport trailers containing adifferently configured platform, including a trailer having a lowerplatform with fewer sections than illustrated in FIG. 2 , or a trailerhaving only one platform instead of upper and lower platforms.

Throughout this disclosure, “front” or “forward” will correspond withthe end of the trailer 200 or direction labeled “Front” in FIG. 2 .Similarly, “back” or “backward” will correspond with the end of thetrailer 200 or direction labeled “Back” in FIG. 2 . In the embodiment ofFIG. 2 , the illustrated portion 230 comprises part of the left-side ofthe lower platform of trailer 200. As will be understood (and asillustrated in FIG. 1 ) trailer 200 will also include a correspondingright side of the lower platform which is not separately shown forclarity. In an embodiment, this right side of the lower platform willcontain the same features illustrated in FIG. 2 and discussed below toallow loading, securing, and carrying of vehicles on trailer 200.

As will be understood, at least the second section 232 b of the lowerplatform may be raised to at least one elevated or upper position and atleast one lowered or down position. The elevated position, when thebridge system 250 is engaged, allows vehicles to be driven from thethird section 232 c to sections 232 b and 232 a in order to loadvehicles onto those parts of the lower platform for transport and/or toallow vehicles transported on sections 232 a/232 b to be driven tosection 232 c when offloading the vehicles from the trailer 200. Thelowered position (or multiple lowered positions) allows for section 232b to be lowered once vehicles are secured to the lower platform so thatupper platform (see upper platform 110 of FIG. 1 ) may be lowered totransport vehicles and/or to load vehicles to/offload vehicles from theupper platform. In the illustrated embodiment, the “back” end of section232 b may be raised to the elevated position(s), while the “front” endof section 232 b may or may not be raised or lowered. As illustrated inFIG. 2 , a bridge system 250 may be implemented to allow vehicles totransition between the “front” end of section 220 c and “back” end ofsection 232 b. The bridge system 250 may be made of metal or any otherappropriate material and the bridge system is illustrated in FIG. 2 in alowered or down position.

Turning to FIGS. 3A-3B and 4A-4B, an embodiment of a bridge system 350are illustrated. Bridge system 350 of FIGS. 3A-3B and 4A-4B may beimplemented as the bridge system 250 on the lower platform of trailer200 of FIG. 2 (or trailer 100 of FIG. 1 ). Only a portion of one side ofa lower platform of a trailer 300 is illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B and4A-4B for clarity. FIG. 3A shows a perspective view of the embodiment ofthe bridge system 350 in a lowered position, while FIG. 3B is a sideview of the bridge system 350 of FIG. 3A in the lowered position. FIG.4A shows a perspective view of the embodiment of the bridge system 350in a raised position, while FIG. 4B is a side view of the bridge system350 of FIG. 4A in the raised position. As illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B and4A-4B, an embodiment of bridge system 350 may comprise a movable ramp380 and a linkage system 370 (which may include features 371, 372, 374,and 376-379 and/or 386-389) configured to couple the ramp 380 to section232 b of the lower platform of trailer 300. Sections 232 b and 232 c ofFIGS. 3A-3B and 4A-4B may be the same as sections 232 b/232 c of FIG. 2, including the features discussed above such as side wall 218 b and/ordecking 220 b/220 c.

Ramp 380 may comprise a front end (the end closest to the “Front” oftrailer 300 and adjacent to section 232 b) and a back end (the endclosest to the “Back” of trailer 300 and adjacent to section 232 c).Ramp 380 may include decking 381 supported by two parallel walls 382extending downwards from the underside of decking 381. Decking 381 andwalls 382 may be formed from a single piece, such as by folding theedges of the decking 381 to form walls 382. In other embodiments, theramp 380 may comprise a decking 381 affixed to separate walls 382. Inoperation, ramp 380 allows vehicles to be driven between sections 232 band 232 c and to be stored on trailer 300 for transport. To assist withthese functions, decking 381 may be made of metal or any otherappropriate material and may include a plurality of holes, grating,and/or roughened portions on the upper surface to allow vehicle tires tobetter grip the decking 381 when the vehicles are driven on and/orsecured to the lower platform of trailer 300. For example, in theillustrated embodiment, decking 381 may include an opening to allowstraps or chains to secure a vehicle, such as using a ratchet 383extending through one or more walls 382 of ramp 380.

Ramp 380 is configured to allow movement between a lowered position(FIGS. 3A-3B) and a raised position that is substantially aligned withsection 232 c of trailer 300 (FIGS. 4A-4B) to allow vehicles to movefrom section 232 c over ramp 380 to section 232 b (and to also move inthe reverse direction). In some embodiments, ramp 380 may be alignedwith section 232 c such that these two portions are substantiallyparallel or co-planar. In other embodiments, ramp 380 and section 232 cmay be aligned even though there is an angle formed between the ends oframp 380 and section 232 c.

In an embodiment, the decking 381 at the front end of ramp 380 mayextend beyond the ends of walls 382 to form a lip affixed to a rampsupport which is illustrated as a metal tube 356 in the figures. Tube356 may in turn be coupled to one end of rod 386 of linkage system 370which supports the front end of ramp 380 in the raised position (FIGS.4A-4B) and also moves ramp 380 between the raised and lowered positionsas discussed below. At its back end, ramp 380 may be coupled to trailer300, such as to a portion of section 232 c to allow the ramp 380 to movebetween the raised and lowered positions. In an embodiment, the back endof the ramp 380 may be rotatably coupled to section 232 c, such as byhinge 384 which may comprise a bolt or pin through a bracket affixed tosection 232 c or a welded rod. For such embodiments, moving between theraised and lowered positions may comprise the ramp 380 rotating aroundhinge 384 such that only the front end of the ramp 380 is moved betweenthe lowered position (FIGS. 3A-3B) and the raised position (FIGS.4A-4B).

The illustrated bridge system 350 also comprises a linkage system 370configured to couple the ramp 380 to section 232 b of the lower platformof trailer 300. Linkage system 370 allows ramp 380 to automaticallyraise and lower along with section 232 b, greatly improving thefunctionality and ease of use of bridge system 350 over previoussystems. As will be understood, section 232 b may be moved to a raisedor upper position to allow transition of vehicles from section 232 cover rear wheels 206 of trailer 300 (for loading or unloading vehiclesonto sections 232 a and 232 b). Section 232 b may also be moved to alowered or down position once vehicles have been secured to section 232b (or to allow upper platform 110 of FIG. 1 to be lowered to unloadvehicles). Such movement of section 232 b may be performed by ahydraulic system or other powered or mechanical mechanism such asactuator 376.

Linkage system 370 in an embodiment may comprise an arm 374 with a frontend of arm 374 rotatably coupled to the back end of section 232 b. Inother embodiments, the arm 374 may be part of a lifting system. In theillustrated embodiment, a back end of arm 374 may be rotatably coupledto the trailer 300 adjacent to section 232 c or may be rotatably coupledto section 232 c itself. Arm 374 may be any desired shape or material.In the illustrated embodiment, arm 374 is rotatably coupled at one endto a support structure comprising a back wall 352 coupled to the trailer300 and a shelf 354 attached to the bottom edge of the back wall 352.Arm 374 may also be rotatably coupled at the other end to the platform.Back wall 352 may be substantially rectangular in shape, formed ofmetal, and may extend downwards perpendicular to the top surface ofsection 232 c. Shelf 354 may comprise a rectangular metal tube affixedalong a bottom edge of back wall 352 as illustrated. In an embodiment,the back end of arm 374 is rotatably coupled to back wall 352 in a waythat allows the arm 374 to rotate in an upwards and downwards direction(i.e. in a direction perpendicular to section 232 c). Back end of arm374 may be coupled to the back wall by any desired means, such as ahinge, or by attaching the arm 374 to a bracket 389 extending from (oraffixed to) back wall 352 with a pin or bolt as illustrated in FIGS.3A-3B and 4A-4B.

As illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B and 4A-4B, the linkage system 370 may alsoinclude or may be coupled to a rod 386 that is rotatably coupled at oneend to the tube 356 supporting the front end of ramp 380. Rod 386 may beany desired shape or material and, in the illustrated embodiment, issolid metal that is generally cylindrical. The first end of rod 386 maybe rotatably coupled to the tube 356 in any desired manner, such as by abolt or pin in a bracket 388 extending from or attached to the undersideof tube 356 as shown in FIGS. 3A-3B and 4A-4B. The second end of rod 386is rotatably coupled to arm 374. As illustrated, the second end of rod386 may be rotatably coupled to one side or surface of arm 374relatively near or adjacent to the back end of arm 374 that is coupledto the back wall 352. The second end of rod 386 may also be coupled tothe arm 374 in any desired manner, such as by a bolt or pin in a bracket387 extending from or attached to one side or surface of the arm 374 asshown in the figures. In operation, rod 386 serves to allow ramp 380 toautomatically move in conjunction with section 232 b of the lowerplatform of trailer 300. Rod 386 also serves to provide support for thefront end of ramp 380 when the ramp 380 is in a raised or upper position(see FIGS. 4A-4B), holding the ramp 380 in place in the raised or upperposition such that separately operated support legs are not needed as inprior systems.

Returning to the arm 374, the front end of arm 374 is coupled to a backend of section 232 b. In an embodiment, the front end of arm 374 may becoupled to a tube 390 coupled to section 232 b where the tube 390 isconfigured to slide into and out of section 232 b. In anotherembodiment, the front end of arm 374 may be coupled directly to section232 b, such as to one of the side walls 218 b of a back end of section232 b. In yet other embodiments, the arm 374 may be coupled to a support355 located underneath and supporting the back end of section 232 b asillustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B and 4A-4B. Support 355 may be a series ofintersecting metal tubes (such as in an “H” or “#” pattern) providingsupport for the back end of section 232 b. The front end of arm 374 iscoupled to the back end of section 232 b in a manner to allow the frontend of arm 374 to raise and/or lower in conjunction with the back end ofsection 232 b. For example as illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B and 4A-4B, thefront end of arm 374 may rotate about its back end that is affixed tothe back wall 352 such that the front end of arm 374 may raise and lowerwith the back end of section 232 b. As discussed above, the movement ofarm 374 in conjunction with section 232 b allows for the front end oframp 380 to also raise and lower in conjunction with section 232 b viarod 386.

In an embodiment, the back end of section 232 b may include a transitionportion comprising transition decking 371 supported by two parallelwalls 372 extending downwards from the underside of transition decking371. Transition decking 371 and walls 372 may be formed from a singlepiece, such as by folding the edges of the transition decking 371 toform walls 372. In other embodiments, the transition decking 371 maycomprise a separate piece attached to the walls 372. Transition decking371 may be made of metal or any other appropriate material and mayinclude a plurality of holes, grating, and/or roughened portions on theupper surface to allow vehicle tires to better grip the decking 371 whenthe vehicles are driven on and/or secured to section 232 b. Thetransition decking 371 may include an opening to allow straps or chainsto secure a vehicle. In other embodiments, no transition portion may beimplemented.

Linkage system 370 may also include or may be coupled to an actuator 376configured to lift the arm 374 and/or to provide support to the back endof section 232 b, such as when the back end of section 232 b is in araised or upper position. In an embodiment, the actuator 376 maycomprise any mechanical, electrical, hydraulic, or other means forlifting arm 374 and/or providing support to the back end of section 232b. For example, actuator 376 may comprise a telescoping member, such asa piston, where the piston is in a “closed” configuration and positionedout of the way, generally parallel to section 232 b when section 232 bis in a lowered or down position. In such embodiments, the actuator 376is in an “open” or “extended” configuration when section 232 b is in araised or upper position, helping to support the back end of section 232b to allow vehicles to transition to and from section 232 b. Asillustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B and 4A-4B, actuator 376 may comprise agenerally cylindrical telescoping member or piston and may providesupport to the back end of section 232 b by hydraulic, electrical, orany other desired method.

Actuator 376 may be coupled to trailer 300 by any desired method. Forexample, a first end of actuator 376 may be rotatably coupled to a crossbeam 377 affixed to a side of arm 374. As illustrated, cross beam 377may extend from arm 374 such that cross beam 377 lies parallel to thewidth of the platform/perpendicular to the length of the platform oftrailer 300 (or perpendicular to the length of section 232 b). In suchembodiments, actuator 376 may be rotatably coupled to cross beam 377 byany desired method such as via a bolt or pin through a bracket 379extending from or attached to a top surface of cross beam 377 asillustrated. In other embodiments or implementations of the system, thefirst end of actuator 376 may be rotatably attached to arm 374, section232 b, or another part of trailer 300 rather than to cross beam 377 ifdesired. Similarly, a second end of actuator 376 may be rotatablycoupled to the shelf 354 as illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B and 4A-4B, suchas via a pin or bolt through a bracket 378 extending from or attached toa top surface of shelf 354. In other embodiments, the second end ofactuator 376 may be rotatably attached to the back wall 352 or anotherportion of trailer 300 rather than to shelf 354.

Additionally, actuator 376 and/or bracket 379 may be located at adifferent position than that illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B. For example, inanother embodiment (not illustrated), actuator 376 may be located on the“outside” of section 232 b instead of located in the “interior” ofsection 232 b as illustrated. In such embodiment, a first end ofactuator 376 may be rotatably coupled to the side of sidewall 218 b(such as by a modified version of bracket 379). Additionally, the secondside of actuator 376 may be rotatably affixed to back wall 352 at adifferent location than that illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B. As will beunderstood, additional locations for and configurations of actuator 376are also possible.

In operation, the bridge system 350 of FIGS. 3A-3B and 4A-4B moveautomatically to a raised or elevated position when section 232 b (orthe back end of section 232 b) is moved to a raised or elevatedposition. This automatic movement in conjunction with section 232 bmeans that the bridge system 350 is always in place when vehicles aretransitioning between section 232 b and 232 c, such as for loadingvehicles onto or offloading vehicles from trailer 300 (or trailer 100 ofFIG. 1 ). FIG. 5A shows aspects of a bridge system 350 implemented on atrailer 300, which may be a trailer like that illustrated in FIG. 1 orany other type of car transport trailer including a trailer with asingle platform rather than upper and lower platforms. Only a portion oftrailer 300 is illustrated in FIG. 5A for clarity. As shown in FIG. 5A,when section 232 b is in a raised or elevated position, bridge system350 is also in a raised or elevated position such that ramp 380 isaligned with section 232 b. In this configuration, vehicle 500 may beloaded onto trailer 300 by driving vehicle 500 onto the lower platform,over section 232 c of the lower platform positioned over the trailerwheels 206, and onto (or partially onto) section 232 b of the lowerplatform of trailer 300. As will be understood, this movement may bereversed to allow vehicle 500 to be removed from trailer 300. As willalso be understood, in an embodiment, section 232 b may be towards the“rear” of the trailer 300 rather than to the “front” of the trailer 300as illustrated in FIG. 5A.

Similarly, in operation, bridge system 350 automatically moves to a downor one or more lowered positions when section 232 b (or the back end ofsection 232 b) is lowered. This ensures that bridge system 350 isautomatically out of the way to create more space for the vehicle and,in turn, to allow the vehicle to be more efficiently secured to thetrailer 200/300. For example, FIG. 5B shows aspects of the bridge system350 implemented on the trailer 300 of FIG. 5A with the bridge system 350(and platform section 232 b) in a lowered or down position. Again, onlya portion of trailer 300 is illustrated in FIG. 5B for clarity. As shownin FIG. 5B, when section 232 b is in the down or lowered position,bridge system 350 is also in a down or lowered position such that ramp380 is out of the way allowing vehicle 500 to be secured to trailer 300in a “straddle” position with a first wheel 502 of the vehicle 500secured to section 232 b and a second wheel 504 of the vehicle 500secured to section 232 c.

Thus, the movement of ramp 380 out of the way when section 232 b islowered provides great benefit when transporting vehicles with lowground clearance, allowing more options when securing suchlow-to-the-ground vehicles to the lower platform of the trailer 200/300.Further, the ability to automatically move the ramp 380 in conjunctionwith section 232 b provides another benefit by avoiding the need tomanually raise/lower previous ramps and to manually secure/unsecuresupporting legs for the previous ramps. This additional benefit isincreased when a bridge system 350 is implemented on both the left sideof lower platform (as illustrated in the figures) and the right side ofthe lower platform (not illustrated).

Only one bridge system 350 for the lower platform of trailer 200/300 hasbeen illustrated for clarity. In some embodiments, left-side andright-side versions of bridge system 350 may be coupled together, onefor each side of the lower platform. In such embodiments, both left-sideand right-side bridge systems 350 automatically raise and lower at thesame time with section 232 b (or with the back end of section 232 b). Insome embodiments, the right-side bridge system will be a mirror image ofthe left-side bridge system, such that each of the right-side bridgesystem and the left-side bridge system has all of the features discussedabove for bridge system 350.

However, it is not necessary that both the left-side and right-sidebridge systems have all of the components discussed above. For example,in another embodiment, a left-side bridge system for the lower platformof trailer 300 may be implemented as illustrated in FIGS. 3A-3B and4A-4B while a right-side bridge system does not include an additionalarm like arm 374. For such embodiments, the right-side ramp is connectedto the left-side ramp such as by dimensioning tube 356 supporting thefront end of left-side ramp to extend to the right-side bridge system.

In this manner, dimensioning tube 356 may also support right-side rampand/or ensure that right-side ramp moves upward and downward inconjunction with left-side ramp (and therefore also in conjunction withsection 232 b). Similarly, a right-side rod may be implemented in thisembodiment to support right side ramp. For example, the right-side rodmay be rotatably affixed on one end to the dimensioning tube 356 and onthe other end to cross beam 377 (or to another part of the trailer 300or section 232 b) to allow the right-side rod to support right-sideramp. As will be understood, other configurations of a bridge system 350comprising a left-side bridge system coupled with a right-side bridgesystem may be implemented with differing combinations of the featuresillustrated for bridge system 350 in FIGS. 3A-3B and 4A-4B.

Although the present bridge system 250/350 has been discussed in termsof a single raised or elevated position and a single lowered or downposition, other intermediate positions are possible. For example, insome embodiments, section 232 b may be configured to move to multipleraised, lowered, or intermediate positions for various purposes. Forsuch embodiments, bridge system 250/350 may be configured to move ramp380 and the other components of bridge system 250/350 along with section232 b to the various raised, lowered, or intermediate positions.Alternatively, bridge system 250/350 to move ramp 380 and/or the othercomponents of bridge system 250/350 to a single raised/elevated positionwhen section 232 b is in its highest elevated position (e.g. fortransitioning vehicles). In these alternative embodiments, bridge system250/350 may be configured to move ramp 380 and/or the other componentsof bridge system 250/350 to a single lowered/down position when section232 b is moved to any other position such as a lowered/down position andany intermediate positions.

Additionally, although the present bridge system 250/350 has beendiscussed in terms of fixedly moving ramp 380 in conjunction withsection 232 b, other implementations are possible. For example, part orall of bridge system 250/350 may be adjustable such that the amount ramp380 moves with section 232 b varies as desired. For such adjustableimplementations, it may be possible to manually or automatically adjustthe amount that ramp 380 moves with section 232 b, includingimplementations where ramp 380 may not move at all with section 232 b(or where ramp 380 may be moved independently of section 232 b). In oneexample, rod 386 may be manually adjustable or automatically adjustablewith an actuator to allow variable movement of ramp 380 with section 232b.

While the invention has been described with reference to exemplaryembodiments, it will be understood by those skilled in the art thatvarious changes may be made and equivalents may be substituted forelements thereof without departing from the scope of the disclosure,including the alternate embodiments discussed above. In addition, manymodifications may be made to adapt a particular situation or material tothe teachings of the invention without departing from the essentialscope thereof. Therefore, it is intended that the disclosure not belimited to the particular embodiments discussed, but that the disclosurewill include all embodiments falling within the scope of the claims.Moreover, the use of the terms first, second, etc., do not denote anyorder or importance, but rather the terms first, second, etc. are usedto distinguish one element from another. Furthermore, the use of theterms a, an, etc., do not denote a limitation of quantity, but ratherdenote the presence of at least one of the referenced item. Similarly,use of the terms set, plurality, etc., also do not denote a limitationof quantity, but rather denote the presence of at least two of thereference item.

What is claimed is:
 1. A vehicle transport truck or trailer comprising:at least one platform configured to receive vehicles, the platformcomprising at least a first section extending towards a wheel of thevehicle transport truck or trailer and a second section located abovethe wheel, the first section of the platform configured to move to atleast a raised position and a lowered position; a first ramp with afront end and a rear end, the rear end rotatably coupled to the secondsection of the platform, the first ramp configured to move to at least araised position and a lowered position, the first ramp configured toallow a vehicle to transition between the first section of the platformand the second section of the platform when the ramp is in the raisedposition; and a linkage mechanism with a first end rotatably coupled tothe front end of the first ramp and a second end coupled to the firstsection of the platform, the linkage mechanism configured to move inconjunction with the first section of the platform, wherein moving thefirst section of the platform to the raised position causes the linkagemechanism to move the first ramp to the raised position placing thefirst ramp substantially aligned with the first section of the platform,and moving the first section of the platform to the lowered positioncauses the linkage mechanism to move the first ramp to the loweredposition not aligned with the first section of the platform.
 2. Thevehicle transport truck or trailer of claim 1, further comprising: asupport mechanism with a first end rotatably coupled to the linkagemechanism and a second end rotatably coupled to the first ramp, thesupport mechanism configured to support the first ramp when the firstramp is in the raised position substantially aligned with the firstsection of the platform.
 3. The vehicle transport truck or trailer ofclaim 2, further comprising: an actuator coupled to the linkagemechanism, the actuator configured to move the first ramp in conjunctionwith the linkage mechanism.
 4. The vehicle transport truck or trailer ofclaim 3, wherein the actuator comprises one of a mechanical actuator,electrical actuator, and hydraulic actuator.
 5. The vehicle transporttruck or trailer of claim 3, further comprising: a back wall affixed tothe platform and extending downwards perpendicular to the second sectionof the platform, wherein the linkage mechanism is further rotatablycoupled to the back wall; and a shelf affixed along a bottom edge of theback wall, wherein the actuator is further rotatably coupled to a topsurface of the shelf.
 6. The vehicle transport truck or trailer of claim3, further comprising: a support coupled to the first section, whereinthe linkage mechanism is rotatably coupled to the support.
 7. Thevehicle transport truck or trailer of claim 1, wherein the platformfurther comprises a third section parallel to the first section and afourth section parallel to the second section, the fourth sectionlocated above a second wheel of the vehicle transport truck or trailer,wherein the first and second section of the platform comprise a leftside of the platform and the third and fourth section of the platformcomprise a right side of the platform parallel to the left side, thethird section of the platform configured to move to at least a raisedposition and a lowered position, and wherein the vehicle transport truckor trailer further comprises a second ramp rotatably coupled to thefourth section of the platform, the second ramp configured to move to atleast a raised position and a lowered position in conjunction with thefirst ramp.
 8. The vehicle transport truck or trailer of claim 1,wherein: the first section of the platform is configured to move to atleast one intermediary position between the raised position and thelowered position, the first ramp is configured to move to at least oneintermediary position between the raised position and the loweredposition, and moving the first section of the platform to theintermediary position caused the linkage mechanism to move the firstramp to the intermediary position.
 9. A bridge system for couplingadjacent sections of a vehicle transport trailer, the bridge systemcomprising: left-side and right-side ramps interposed between a fixedlevel section of the vehicle transport trailer and a linkage system,wherein the linkage system is coupled to a height-adjustable section ofthe vehicle transport trailer and the ramps are rotatably connected tothe fixed level section of the vehicle transport trailer; whereinactuation of the linkage system operates to raise or lower theheight-adjustable section of the vehicle transport trailer, andsimultaneously the ramps, such that at an upper most position theheight-adjustable section is substantially aligned with the ramps toallow a vehicle to transition between the fixed level section and theheight-adjustable section of the vehicle transport trailer; and whereinthe height-adjustable section further comprises at least one transitiondecking component configured to align with at least one of the left-sideand right-side ramps when the height-adjustable section is at the uppermost position.
 10. The bridge system of claim 9, wherein theheight-adjustable section of the vehicle transport trailer is operableto be positioned at multiple positions in addition to the upper mostposition.
 11. The bridge system of claim 9, wherein the fixed levelsection is located above one or more wheels of the vehicle transporttrailer.
 12. The bridge system of claim 11, further comprising a backwall component positioned beneath the left-side and right-side ramps andahead of the one or more wheels.
 13. The bridge system of claim 12,wherein the linkage system is further coupled to the back wallcomponent.
 14. The bridge system of claim 9, wherein the linkage systemcomprises at least one actuator.
 15. The bridge system of claim 14,wherein the at least one actuator comprises one of a mechanicalactuator, electrical actuator, and hydraulic actuator.
 16. The bridgesystem of claim 9, wherein at least one of the left-side and right-sideramps comprises a ratchet system.
 17. The bridge system of claim 9,wherein the left-side and right-side ramps are connected via a cross-barcomponent interposed between the ramps and the linkage system.
 18. Thebridge system of claim 9, wherein the left-side and right-side ramps arespaced to simultaneously accommodate left-side and right-side tires of avehicle, respectively.
 19. The bridge system of claim 9, wherein atleast one of the left-side and right-side ramps comprises a perforateddeck surface.